Ashworth Ironstone China Oval Plate Circa 1862 Ref. 72

Ashworth Ironstone China Oval Plate Circa 1862 Ref. 72

G.L. Ashworth and Bros.were based in Hanley in 1861 when they took over the Mason's factory which had made a name for itself in the production of "Ironstone China'  However,  it was due to Francis Morley, who, in 1842, realized the potential of the new Ironstone formula that Mason's had developed and quickly bought up as many of Charles Mason's molds and the formula when the latter went bankrupt in 1848. Francis Morley was then running the company, Ridgway, Morley and Wear, which, in turn, had taken over Hicks, Meigh and Johnson in 1835. Morley eventually went into partnership with Ashworth in 1859, but, by 1862, we find the firm operating under the name G.L. Ashworth and Bros. a name that lasted until 1968 when they, themselves, were taken over, this time by Wedgwood.

 Conditions were tough for the workers, and, below is an extract taken verbally from some of the workers in the original Hicks, Meigh and Johnson company in 1833.
'One of them was Charles Hall, aged nine. He had been employed at the factory for six months and worked from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the winter. He had a break of half an hour for breakfast which consisted of tea, bread and butter, and one hour for dinner of beef and potatoes. He admitted that he was very tired at the end of the day but when asked “Do you like to go to work at the factory?’ answered “Yes.” His pay was two shillings and three pence a week and he confirmed that there were separate water closets for the boys and girls. He had formerly been to school and could read and write and now went to a Sunday school.
Another employee interviewed was Alice Berrisford, aged 17 who had been working at the factory for six years. She too had been to school, could read and write and now went to a Sunday school. She worked the same hours as Charles Hall but added that on Saturday work stopped at 4 p.m. Her pay was paid 4 shillings a week and she had a sister who was also employed at the factory.'

The above oval plate remains in good condition with no cracks or chips, a testament to the strength of the 'Ironstone" China.Some colour wear is evident on the rim and slight rubbing to the centre 'flower' design as well as the usual fine scratch marks found in a plate of this age. The colours remain vibrant and this is a typical 'Chinoiserie' pattern, so popular when Mason still operated his factory. It shows a 'Transfer" design in a rust-red color, and hand-clobbered in rich blue, yellow, green and rust-red enamels. The plate measures 27cm in length and 22 cm in width and stands 3cm high

Cost R700.00

Shipping R45.00

This a genuine antique. Please remember the classification of an 'antique' is that it should be 100 years old, OR MORE. There are many articles being offered as 'antiques' when, clearly, they are not.

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